Todayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Idol headlines after the jumpà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

Today in history – June 30

…Rhythm-and-blues singer Fantasia (“American Idol”) is 23…

Boston.com

Cutter Shut down

…It was Ace Young Night at Yale Field. Young, the former American Idol contestant, sang the national anthem and performed two songs after the game. In between, he signed autographs and posed for photos with fans.

New Hevan Register

Kelly thanks her lucky stars

Although she has performed with artists such as Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, country music legend Reba McEntire and guitarist Jeff Beck, Kelly Clarkson says she doesn’t get starstruck.

But she does find it a bit tough to wrap her head around it…

Edmonston Sun

Clarkson on the record
Singer stands up for My December

…”I think it has been a fabulous creative year for me, but at the same time I think it has been a testing of my patience in some areas,” Clarkson said this week, upon the release of her third album. “I think it has been one of those years where it’s like a revelation. You’re like, ‘Okay, cool. I think I’m getting what I need to do now’ — surrounding myself with the right people and making decisions on happiness rather than for any other reason.”

The first American Idol winner also says a weight has been taken off her shoulders with the album now out in stores.

“You have no idea,” she says. “I’m fricking stoked about it! I can’t wait for people to hear for themselves what this buzz has been about.”…

Toronto Sun

Maroulis says new soap opera gig has ‘been awesome’

First he smoldered for the cameras as a finalist on season four of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idol.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Now Constantine Maroulis is heating up daytime television with a recurring role as music producer Constantine Parros on à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Bold and the Beautiful.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ……

Knox News

The ‘Idol’ connection: ‘Omaha (The Movie)’

When Dan Mirvish made “Omaha (The Movie)” in the early 1990s, he had no idea it would recruit the No. 1 TV show in the nation to come to town more than 10 years later.

But “American Idol” producer Patrick Lynn said the film put Omaha on the top of his list of places he wanted to hold an audition…

Omaha.com

BLACK MUSIC MONTH 2007: Don’t Believe the Hype! Check on This

…To hell with ‘American Idol’ winner Taylor Hicks, the real “soul patrol” is being led by Yamin, who released his long awaited debut opus this spring. From the opening track ‘Movin’ On,’ the aural engagement begins — and envelopment continues throughout the soul infused pop ballad ‘Wait for You’ and the empowering, gospel-inflected track ‘Free.’ His turn on the doo-wop inspired ‘Take My Breath Away’ exemplifies pure soul. ‘Train Wreck’ channels a bit of late R&B legend Sam Cooke while staying current with an R. Kelly tone. The up-tempo ‘Alright’ has a hip-pop groove on par with Justin Timberlake — but with much more soul. The Los Angeles native may not be (and act) black, but he exudes soul — better than any of the current day crop of blue-eyed soul balladeers, including Robin Thicke…

Black Voices Blogs

Daughtry Goes Triple Platinum
Former American Idol delivers best-selling album of 2007 so far.

Former American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry’s debut album, Daughtry, has been certified triple platinum (selling in excess of 3 million copies) by the RIAA and as such has been deemed the biggest selling album of 2007 thus far. It is the first album to achieve triple platinum status in the past six months…

IGN.com

Starting All Over Again
Glorious past and uncertain future of Stax on stage at The Orpheum.

…Yet the canned banter between Jackson and Chuck D. threatened to derail the momentum between every act. WWRD (What Would Rufus Do?), I wondered, as I listened to them mumble through another round of accolades read from the TelePrompters, wishing that someone had done their homework and hired a real MC, someone who could have fun and get funky like in the WDIA Goodwill Revues of yore.

Jackson’s missteps were numerous. To the audience’s dismay, he squeezed Idol references into nearly every sentence, and, at one point, the co-hosts incorrectly announced that Stax co-founder Jim Stewart and Al Bell, the label’s final owner, were in the audience. No big deal, unless you consider that Stewart’s a recluse who has never stepped foot in the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and who was a no-show for his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Had Stewart chosen to attend the anniversary concert, it would’ve made a fine moment for the current stewards of the Stax legacy, but sadly, that wasn’t the case…

Memphis Flyer

Abstinence Brings ‘Dignity’
Traveling in Africa, First Lady Laura Bush speaks in favor of faith-based HIV prevention.

…Speaking to the Bush delegation, World Vision’s Bruce Wilkinson, a leader with RAPIDS, said, “Today is a day to celebrate.”

And it was. Salvation Armyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’supported youth put on a skit. Women, mostly widows, sang and danced. A choir of children moved the audience with their song, “I know the Lord will make a way for me.” Young women, led by American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle, performed the hymn “Amazing Grace.”…

Christianity Today

RealityCares Benefit Being Held This Saturday In Hollywood California

…Appearing at the event are: Dr. Will Kirby (Big Brothers & Dr. 90210), Nick Carter (House of Carters), Reichen Lehmkuhl (Amazing Race), Eric Nies (Real World), Jerri Manthey (Survivor), Traci Bingham (Surreal Life), Frenchie Davis (American Idol), and so many more!..

Reality Wanted.net

Mergers fail to lift media stocks
Despite consolidation in the sector, media stocks underperformed the broader market in the first half of 2007

…And CKX, a media licensing company that owns the rights to the names and likenesses of Elvis Presley as well as the rights to the popular “American Idol” television show that airs on News Corp.’s Fox, have surged 18 percent. The company’s top executives announced in May that they were taking CKX private…

CNN Money

‘Hey Paula’ Recap: An Open Letter To Paula Abdul From MTV News’ ‘American Idol’ Expert
‘It’s one thing to let cameras follow you. It’s another to give your permission to air an episode like this at all. …’

Hey Paula,

I know it’s been a rough couple of years, what with the rumors and the manicures from hell and the Dr. Phil “Why Can’t I Find A Man” primetime specials. No doubt you’re fed up with the public’s perception of you as an eccentric, unstable whackadoo with an affinity for costume jewelry and new-agey platitudes.

So I guess I understand why you would agree to have TV cameras follow you around for a reality show. “This’ll show ‘em who I REALLY am! [seal clap]”

Unfortunately, the reality of reality TV is that “reality” bites. Big time…..

MTV.com

Hicks injects some soul into Red, White & Boom crowd

An animated Taylor Hicks extended his arms and zoomed onto stage as if he were an airplane. The plane landed with the crash of a cymbal and an exuberant chord from the electrical guitar as Hicks grabbed the microphone and greeted Spartanburg.

Dressed in an orange T-shirt, blue jeans and black New Balances, Mr. “Soul Patrol” asked the crowd of more than 5,000 eager fans one simple question that caused an explosion, “Are ya’ll ready for a good Fourth of July weekend?”…

Go Upstate.com

Churches, City Host Holiday Activities: American Idol Contestant Patrick Hall To Sing Sunday
Fourth of July Brings World Champion Jump-Roper

…The First Baptist Church of Bentonville will Celebrate America with several special guests on Sunday. These include 2006 American Idol contestant Patrick Hall, who will sing “Cry Freedom” by David T. Clydesdale with the church choir and orchestra on the Bentonville square…

NWA Online

Stars in Orbit: Klum’s Candy, Bush’s Boy and Foster’s Caring Ways

The Planet Gossip satellites see everything, and I give you the best sightings from around the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ and occasionally even beyond it.

SO SWEET! Heidi Klum, Karolina Kurkova and Adriana Lima, along with Katharine McPhee and Lydia Hearst, celebrating the opening of the Victoria’s Secret Beauty Candy Store in NYC….

EOnline

Everyone into the pool!
A cool and refreshing party returns to downtown Orlando.

…Remember, on July 3 Altamonte Springs will be hosting its Red, Hot & Boom event at Cranes Roost Park on Altamonte Springs Drive. It never made sense to me why this always takes place the day before Independence Day, especially when it’s during the week. I’m lobbying for July 5 off, but I don’t see how July 3 is an option. Either way, the event always packs a crowd. This year, American Idol finalists Katharine McPhee and Elliott Yamin will perform, along with Saving Jane, The Click Five, Kat DeLuna, Melissa Jimenez, Rooney and Lloyd. As with the previous events, this is also free…

Orlando Sentinel

July 4 sets off Sparks for the newest ‘American Idol’

…An American Idol fan since its debut, Sparks says the show’s earlier seasons were an education for her before she started her own ‘journey’, as Idol host Ryan Seacrest would put it.

“Just seeing what everybody performed and what the judges responded to, and even the little things, really helped me,” Sparks says. “I would think, ‘I don’t want to sing such-and-such song because somebody else already sang it, and I don’t want to be compared to them.’…

Jamaica-Gleaner